Traffic Tickets
What are my options?
How much is it if I want to pay the fine?
What about defensive driving?
How do I keep this off my record?
I got a ticket for an expired inspection certificate,
expired drivers license, or expired license plates.
Can It be dismissed?
What about no seat belt tickets?
On any traffic offense, you have the absolute right to plead Not Guilty and request a trial.
If you wish to plead Not Guilty, you may request trial by Judge or Jury. That choice is yours. You are not required to have an attorney in Court, but you may hire one if you wish. The District Attorney of Orange County will have an attorney present to prosecute the case against you. The Judge is prohibited, by Law, from discussing your ticket with you unless you have pled guilty or no contest or the District Attorney is also present. Please be advised after notifying court of non-guilty plea, your trial will be set for a later date.
If you choose to go to Court, you are responsible for bringing all papers, pictures, and exhibits with you to the Court hearing. You may also contact the Court for information on how to subpoena witnesses.
You may also plead Guilty or Nolo Contendre (No Contest) and pay the fine amount listed below, or you may refer to the Defensive Driving or deferred disposition options listed below. Drivers under 17 who get tickets are required to appear in Court with their parents/guardian.
If you choose to plead Guilty or Nolo Contendre (No Contest), you may pay your fine in person at the JP Court Office designated on the ticket, or contact for other payment arrangments.
How much is it if I want to pay the fine?
To determine your fine amount you must contact the court .
NOTE: It takes approximately 7 to 10 business days for your ticket to be processed into the system. If you do not see your ticket and it is past this time frame then please call the JP Court Office designated on the ticket.
If you have not taken Defensive Driving in the last twelve months, you may wish to take the course to keep the offense off your record. You are not allowed to take defensive driving for some offenses, including but not limited to speeding more than 24 miles per hour over the limit, passing a school bus, fleeing a police officer, and certain other offenses. If the Department of Public Safety refuses to accept the defensive driving course because your record reflects you have had one within the last twelve months, a warrant may be issued for your arrest. You must receive permission from the Court to complete the course. The traffic offense will be dismissed if you take the course and present proof to the Court. To apply for defensive driving, you must do the following:
- Submit a Money Order or pay by credit card. Call the Justice of the Peace and get the correct amount.
- Submit the money, Defensive Driving Affidavit and proof of insurance to the Court in person or by mail. The insurance must have the phone number, name of your insurance company, effective dates .
The course must be state approved. YOU are responsible for making sure the course is completed and that the Court receives proof of took the course. If the Court has not received proof of a defensive driving course within the time prescribed by law, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and fees will be assessed.
How do I keep this off my record? (Deferred Disposition)
In some circumstances, you may request deferred disposition from the Court. If you have a good driving record, and you are not currently on deferred disposition, you may make a request to the Court. Deferred Disposition means you will be placed on probation for a period of up to 180 days. If you successfully complete the probationary period without receiving a moving violation anywhere in the State of Texas, the original charge will be dismissed. Deferred disposition is not an option if your ticket was for speeding 25 miles per hour or more over the limit, or your ticket resulted from a traffic accident. If defendant is younger than 25 years old, he will also be required to complete the Defensive Driving course for the case to be dismissed.
If your expiration was less than 60 days, and you get the problem fixed (inspection ticket) and present proof to the Court, the Judge will consider dismissal of the ticket with a dismissal fee. For expired license plates, you must tell the tax assessor office that you received a citation and pay the penalty fee (usually $7-$12) for citation to be dismissed. For expired driver's license, you must get corrected no later than 20 days of your court date appearance in order for it to be dismissed. Please contact the court for other dismissable offenses by correction.
What about no seat belt tickets?
The Court may allow a defendant to take defensive driving if the defendant would like to have a no seatbelt ticket dismissed.
